Linguistics and semiology: definitions and principles

The philosophy program focuses on speech, language and linguistics, especially in the ES and L classes. However, this theme can be taken up in the Sciences Po exams, and it is for the S and other general or technological baccalaureates that we offer you these few elements to better understand the study of language, which is essential in today’s societies.

Semiotics and linguistics
definitions

The distinction between semiology and
linguistics is as follows: Semiology is the study of all non-linguistic
non-linguistic systems of communication, the study of all non-linguistic
systems of non-linguistic signs. Linguistics, on the other hand
is the study of a particular system of signs.

Semiology, for Saussure, it is the
science which studies the signs within the social life. The
linguistics is then considered as a part of the general science
science that is semiology.While linguistics is
language through speech or writing, more precisely, it is
“the scientific study of human language, vocal, as it is realized by a
realized by a language, system of linguistic signs and/or
systems of rules.”

Principles of Linguistics

A sign is an element A that
represents an element B and/or which can serve as a substitute. We
distinguish signs, “clues” left by inadvertence, from signals that are
inadvertently, from signals that are intentional. Thus, a fire
that takes place in a public building leaves both a clue, the smoke, and a
smoke, and a signal, the alarm which is triggered.

The linguistic sign is composed of a
content called signified and a sound expression called
signifier. The signified necessarily has a signifier and the
signifier must have a signified for us to speak of a linguistic sign
linguistic sign.

The characteristics of the sign
linguistic sign: it has a certain semantic content (the
(the signified) and of a phonic expression (the signifier) one cannot
separate them. The link between signifier and signified is not natural
natural, it is arbitrary and necessary. It takes place in
time. The linguistic sign is differential, it is always distinguished from
from the other signs. It functions like a unit has whole share
unit in its own right. And it functions in opposition to the others.
The object of linguistics: we distinguish language, faculty,
ability common to human beings to communicate put into action by
speech with the help of a code, the language.

7 thoughts on “Linguistics and semiology: definitions and principles

  1. it is well detailed the difference between linguistics and semiology. but please kindly give a detailed plan on the principles of linguistics to help us understand more.

  2. Thank you for this valuable lesson. I would like to have a notion on the limits of semiology. Sincerely.

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